Hugh Jackman told his children about his tumultuous relationship with his mother, Grace McNeil
(Picture: ES Composite)Hugh Jackman has revealed that he told his children about his tumultuous relationship with his mother, Grace McNeil.
The actor, 54, has previously discussed how his mother “abandoned” her family in Australia and returned to the UK when he was just eight years old.
The Hollywood star explained that his involvement in The Sun prompted him to tell his children, Oscar, 22, and Ava, 17, how much the film’s plot reflected his own broken family growing up.
Speaking to media ahead of the movie’s premiere, Jackman said it was “important” for him to be transparent with his kids about the environment he grew up in and try to explain his reasoning for signing up to the drama.
As reported by MailOnline, he said: “It was very important that I talk to them about what it was about, what it meant to me, and why I was doing it.
“I took them with me to see it and we had a long conversation. What I find amazing is the generation of 22 to 17-year-olds are totally fine having these conversations.
“It’s more my generation that is a little more sheepish and shy around it.”
The Greatest Showman star was just eight when his mother left Australia and returned to the UK in the late ‘70s, leaving her husband, Christopher Jackman, to raise the actor and his siblings alone.
After the couple divorced, Jackman’s sisters, Zoe and Sonya, went to live with McNeil in the UK while Jackman and his brothers, Ian and Ralph, stayed in Sydney with their father.
The Hollywood actor has previously described his mother’s sudden departure as “traumatic”, but has since made amends with her.
In 2011, he told The Sun: “I am 43 now and we have definitely made our peace, which is important.
“I was always quite connected with my mum. I have a good relationship with her.”
